DISTRIBUTION:

Molippa placida (wingspan: males: 58-66mm; females: 81mm // forewng length: males: 30-32mm; females: larger) flies in
French Guiana: Cayenne, Saint-Jean-du-Maroni, Maripasoula, Saul; and
Brazil: Para, Ceara (Mi) and Amazonas;
Brazil: Ceara: Meruoca Co.: Serra de Meruoca, 2008-01-06 (Mirror).

Racheli and Racheli, 2005, indicate it is confirmed in
Peru: Madre de Dios, and they indicate it
may also be in Ecuador: Sucumbios (more likely malyi).

Except for the dark basal patch and apical spot, the moth has a washed-out appearance. The inner edge of the dark cell mark is oblique to the line of the inner margin, but in the darker, slightly larger, recently described Molippa malyi from Ceara and Para, Brazil, the inner edge of the dark cell mark is almost perpendicular to the line of the inner margin.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Specimens have been taken January-April, June and August, suggesting at least three broods each year.

Larvae and their hosts are unknown.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Females extend a scent gland from the tip of their abdomens to "call" the males. Males use their antennae to hone in on the airbourne pheromone.

Molippa placida female, Santo Antonio de Taua, Para, Brazil,
May 25, 1981, Claude Lemaire, on my home computer only.

EGGS, LARVAE, COCOONS AND PUPAE:

Eggs are probably deposited in clusters and larvae feed gregariously. Typical of Hemileucini species, larvae have urticating spines.

Larval Food Plants

It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

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The following image(s) may or may not appear on your monitor, depending upon whether or not I get permission from respective photographers/owners to display them. I do have permission for my own private use.

Molippa placida male, Saul, French Guiana,
February 1982, collection of A. Cahurel, photo copyright Rene Lehousse,
French Guiana Systematique.

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